World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace

Transcription

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2 World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace

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4 World Crisis and The Pathway to Peace A Compilation of Speeches and Letters of Mirza Masroor Ahmad Imam and the Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama at, Fifth Successor to the Promised Messiah as, may Allah the Almighty be his help Islam International Publications LTD.

5 World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace A Compilation of Speeches and Letters of Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Imam and the Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama at, Fifth Successor to the Promised Messiah as First Published First published in the in UK: the November UK Paper Back Edition Published in the UK: December 2012 Islam International Publications Ltd. Published by Islam International Publications Ltd. Islamabad, Sheephatch Lane Tilford, Surrey GU10 2AQ, UK Printed in the UK at: Caric Press Ltd. Printed in the UK at Ferndown, Dorest BH22 9AQ No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the Publisher. For further information please visit: ISBN: ISBN (Hard Cover) ISBN: (Paper Back)

6 Contents About the Author...ix Publishers Note...xi Foreword...xv Introduction... xvii Speeches Islamic Perspective on the Global Crisis... 3 Islam s Teachings of Loyalty and Love for One s Nation The Devastating Consequences of a Nuclear War and the Critical Need For Absolute Justice The Path to Peace Just Relations Between Nations Letters to the World Leaders Letter to His Holiness Pope Benedict the XVI Letter to the Prime Minister of Israel Letter to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Letter to the President of the United States of America Letter to the Prime Minister of Canada Letter to the Custodian of the Two Holy Places the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...117

7 vi WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE Letter to the Premier of the State Council of the People s Republic of China Letter to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Letter to the Chancellor of Germany Letter to the President of the French Republic Letter to Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Realms Letter to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Glossary...151

8 Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Khalifatul-Masih V aba

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10 About the Author His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul-Masih V aba, is the supreme head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He is the fifth successor and great grandson of the Promised Messiah and Reformer, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as of Qadian. His Holiness was born on September 15, 1950 in Rabwah, Pakistan to the late Mirza Mansoor Ahmad and the late Nasirah Begum Ahmad. Upon completing his Masters Degree in Agricultural Economics in 1977 from the Agriculture University in Faisalabad, Pakistan, he formally dedicated his life to the service of Islam. His altruistic endeavours took him to Ghana in 1977 where, for several years, he served as a principal of various Ahmadiyya Muslim schools. He helped to inaugurate the Ahmadiyya Secondary School Salaga, where he served as principal for the school s first two years. Elected to the lifelong position of Khalifah (Caliph) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on 22nd April 2003, he serves as the worldwide spiritual and administrative head of an

11 x WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE international religious organization with tens of millions of members spread across 200 countries. Since being elected Khalifah, His Holiness has led a worldwide campaign to convey the peaceful message of Islam, through all forms of print and digital media. Under his leadership, national branches of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community have launched campaigns that reflect the true and peaceful teachings of Islam. Ahmadi Muslims the world over are engaged in grassroots efforts to distribute millions of Peace leaflets to Muslims and non-muslims alike, host interfaith and peace symposia and present exhibitions of The Holy Qur an to present its true and noble message. These campaigns have received worldwide media coverage and demonstrate that Islam champions peace, loyalty to one s country of residence and service to humanity. In 2004, His Holiness launched the annual National Peace Symposium in which guests from all walks of life come together to exchange ideas on the promotion of peace and harmony. Each year, the symposium attracts many serving ministers, parliamentarians, politicians, religious leaders and other dignitaries. His Holiness has travelled globally to promote and facilitate service to humanity. Under the leadership of His Holiness, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has built a number of schools and hospitals that provide high class facilities in remote parts of the world. His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad aba currently resides in London, England. As spiritual leader of Ahmadi Muslims all over the world, he vigorously champions the cause of Islam through a refreshing message of peace and compassion.

12 Publishers Note Please note that, in the translation that follows, words given in parentheses ( ) are the words of the Promised Messiah as. If any explanatory words or phrases are added by the translator for the purpose of clarification, they are put in square brackets [ ]. Footnotes given by the publishers are marked [Publishers]. All references, unless otherwise specified, are from the English translation of the Holy Quran by Hadrat Maulavi Sher Ali ra. The following abbreviations have been used. Readers are urged to recite the full salutations when reading the book: sa sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, meaning may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is written after the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa. as alaihis-salam, meaning may peace be on him, is written after the name of Prophets other than the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa. ra radiyallahu anhu/ anha/ anhum, meaning may Allah be pleased with him/her/them, is written after the names of the Companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa or of the Promised Messiah as.

13 xii WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE aba ayyadahullahu Ta ala binasrihil- Aziz, meaning may Allah the Almighty help him with his powerful support, is written after the name of the present Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama at, Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul- Masih V aba. In transliterating Arabic words we have adopted the following system established by the Royal Asiatic Society. ا at the beginning of a word, pronounced as a, i, u preceded by a very slight aspiration, like h in the English word honour. ث th, pronounced like th in the English word thing. ح h, a guttural aspirate, stronger than h. خ kh, pronounced like the Scotch ch in loch. ذ dh, pronounced like the English th in that. ص s, strongly articulated s. ض d, similar to the English th in this. ط t, strongly articulated palatal t. ظ z, strongly articulated z. ع, a strong guttural, the pronunciation of which must be learnt by the ear غ gh, a sound approached very nearly in the r grasseye in French, and in the German r. It requires the muscles of the throat to be in the gargling position whilst pronouncing it. ق q, a deep guttural k sound. ء, a sort of catch in the voice.

14 xiii Short vowels are represented by: a for (like u in bud) i for (like i in bid) u for (like oo in wood) Long vowels by: a for or آ (like a in father); i for ی or (like ee in deep); u for و (like oo in root); Other: ai for ی (like i in site); au for و (resembling ou in sound) The consonants not included in the above list have the same phonetic value as in the principal languages of Europe. While the Arabic ن is represented by n, we have indicated the Urdu ں as n., ع Curved commas are used in the system of transliteration, for.ء for We have not transliterated Arabic words which have become part of English language, e.g. Islam, Quran, Hadith, Mahdi, jihad, Ramadan and ummah. The Royal Asiatic Society rules of transliteration for names of persons, places and other terms, could not be followed throughout the book as many of the names contain non- Arabic characters and carry a local transliteration and pronunciation style which in itself is also not consistent either. The Publishers

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16 Foreword The purpose of Islam is to teach man the ways of attaining peace, both with himself and with his Creator. Under Divine direction, over 1,400 years ago, Hadrat Muhammad sa, the Holy Founder of Islam, began the process of delivering this message to humanity. He made every effort to ensure that this message was conveyed as widely as possible and he took the extraordinary step of personally writing to the greatest kings and leaders of his time assuring them that if they would adopt the teachings of Islam they would be blessed with peace and prosperity. Today, in this age and time, and in fulfilment of the prophecies of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa, God raised Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as, a true and most sincere servant of the Holy Prophet sa, to rejuvenate the faith and instil the love of God in the hearts of men so that they may again learn the ways of peace and avoid destruction. The letters sent recently to the leaders of the world by His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his help), Fifth Successor to the Promised Messiah as, are a continuation of the same work begun by the Holy Prophet sa fourteen centuries earlier.

17 xvi WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE His Holiness has also travelled widely to address in person the people in charge of running the world s greatest nations. His speeches and letters warn of a spiralling world crisis that is the natural outcome of unjust and inhumane financial and political policies that ceaselessly escalate tensions between peoples of the world. The solution to the world s current dilemma, His Holiness says, lies in following the Quranic teachings of absolute justice. He urges the world leaders to pursue policies that are based on equality, justice, and religious freedom, and stop pursuing policies that are designed with short-sighted temporary self-gains in mind and rely on unjust and unfair exploitation of weaker nations and their natural resources. May God, of His Grace and Mercy, open the hearts of the people to the acceptance of this message. (Amin). The preparation of this book was entrusted to Usman Nasir Choudhary, based in USA. He was assisted by Salman Sajid, Abdul-Wahab Mirza, Dr. Waseem Sayed and Maryam Choudhary. I also appreciate the assistance of Amer Safir, Chief Editor and Manager of The Review of Religions, and Omair Aleem, Incharge Makhzan-e-Tasaweer. May Allah the Almighty reward all of them abundantly, (Amin). Munir-ud-Din Shams Additional Wakilut-Tasnif, London August 2012

18 Introduction The world is passing through very turbulent times. The global economic crisis continues to manifest newer and graver dangers almost every week. The similarities to the period just before the Second World War continue to be cited and it seems clear that events are moving the world at an unprecedented pace towards a horrific third world war. There is an overwhelming sense that things are quickly getting out of control and the people are looking for someone to step on to the stage to offer concrete, solid, guidance in which they can have confidence and that speaks to their heart and mind alike and gives them hope that there is a path that can lead to peace. The consequences of a nuclear war are so catastrophic that none dare even think about them. Here, in this book, we have gathered the guidance put forth by Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Over the past several years, as events have unfolded, he has been fearless in announcing to the world where things are heading not to create alarm but to prepare them to think about how the world has arrived in this state of being and how it can avert disaster and chart a course to peace

19 xviii WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE and security for all the people that inhabit this global village. He has forthrightly proclaimed that the only way to insure peace is for the world to adopt the ways of humility and justice and to humbly, submissively, turn to God; for man to become humane; for the strong to treat the weak with dignity and respect and justice and for the weak and poor to also to show gratitude and adopt the ways of truth and righteousness and for all to turn to their Creator in utter humility and total sincerity. Again and again he has reminded one and all that the way back from the brink of disaster is for nations to make justice an absolute requirement of their dealings with each other. Even if there is enmity between them they need to still observe justice because history has taught us that this is the only way to eliminate all traces of future hatreds and thus build a lasting peace. This is the teaching of the Holy Quran that he has emphasized in his letters to the leaders of the world: And let not the enmity of a people, that they hindered you from the Sacred Mosque, incite you to transgress. And help one another in righteousness and piety; but help not one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah; surely, Allah is severe in punishment. (ch. 5: v. 3) In his letter to the Prime Minister of Israel, he wrote: Hence, it is my request to you that instead of leading the world into the grip of a World War, make maximum efforts to save the world from a global catastrophe. Instead of resolving disputes with force, you should try to resolve

20 xix them through dialogue, so that we can gift our future generations with a bright future rather than gift them with disability and defects. To the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, he admonished: There is currently great agitation and restlessness in the world. In some areas small-scale wars have broken out, while in other places the superpowers act on the pretext of trying to bring about peace. Each country is engaged in activities to either help or oppose other countries, but the requirements of justice are not being fulfilled. It is with regret that if we now observe the current circumstances of the world, we find that the foundation for another world war has already been laid. To President Obama, he stated: As we are all aware, the main causes that led to the Second World War were the failure of League of Nations and the economic crisis, which began in Today, leading economists state that there are numerous parallels between the current economic crisis and that of We observe that political and economic problems have once again led to wars between smaller nations, and to internal discord and discontentment becoming rife within these countries. This will ultimately result in certain powers emerging to the helm of government, who will lead us to a world war. If in the smaller countries conflicts cannot be resolved through

21 xx WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE politics or diplomacy, it will lead to new blocs and groupings to form in the world. This will be the precursor for the outbreak of a Third World War. Hence, I believe that now, rather than focusing on the progress of the world, it is more important and indeed essential, that we urgently increase our efforts to save the world from this destruction. There is an urgent need for mankind to recognise its One God, Who is our Creator, as this is the only guarantor for the survival of humanity; otherwise, the world will continue to rapidly head towards self-destruction. To Premier Wen Jiabao of the State of the People s Republic of China, he wrote: It is my prayer that the leaders of the world act with wisdom and do not allow mutual enmities between nations and people on a small-scale to erupt into a global conflict. And to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he wrote: It is my request that at every level and in every direction we must try our level best to extinguish the flames of hatred. Only if we are successful in this effort, will we be enabled to guarantee brighter futures for our generations to come. However, if we fail in this task, there should be no doubt in our minds that as result of nuclear warfare, our future generations everywhere will have to bear the horrific consequences of our actions and they will never

22 xxi forgive their elders for leading the world into a global catastrophe. I again remind you that Britain is also one of those countries that can and does exert influence in the developed world as well as in developing countries. You can guide this world, if you so desire, by fulfilling the requirements of equity and justice. Thus, Britain and other major powers should play their role towards establishing world peace. May God the Almighty enable you and other world leaders to understand this message. It is our sincere prayer that the guidance collected herein may prove a source of guidance for mankind in this time of great danger so that by acting on the principles of justice and humility and by turning to God, man may be blessed with a lasting peace! (Amin). The Publishers

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24 Speeches

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26 Islamic Perspective on the Global Crisis The British parliament, The House of Commons London, UK, 2008

27 Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V aba delivering the keynote address at the House of Commons

28 Commons courtesy of Justine Greening MP Seated: Lord Avebury (Liberal Democrats Spokesman for Foreign Affairs), Rt. Hon. Hazel Blears MP (Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government); Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (Khalifatul Masih V); Justine Greening Sharma MP, Rt. Hon. Malcolm Wicks MP (Former Minister at Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform); Rob Marris MP, Simon Hughes MP (President of the Liberal Democrats Party); Martin Linton MP; Alan Keen MP.

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30 Preface Historic Address by Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad aba, Khalifatul- Masih V, Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at the House of Commons (British Parliament) on 22 October The reception was organised by Justine Greening, MP for Putney, home to the Fazl Mosque, the Headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, in honour of the completion of 100 years of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. In attendance at the reception were Gillian Merron MP, Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, Alan Keen MP, Dominic Grieve MP, Simon Hughes MP, Lord Eric Avebury and also distinguished members of the press, politicians and professionals.

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32 Islamic Perspective on the Global Crisis Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, Ever Merciful. First of all I would like to thank all of the respected and honourable guests, MPs and Right Honourables who have allowed a leader of a religious organisation to say a few words to you. I am most grateful to our respected MP, Justine Greening, Member of Parliament of our area, who has done so much in organising this event for the sake of a small community of her constituency on the occasion of its Khilafat Centenary. That shows her greatness, open heartedness and the concern about the sentiments of every people and community living in her constituency. Although the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a small community, it is a standard-bearer and the representative of the true teachings of Islam. Nevertheless, I must say that every Ahmadi who lives in Great Britain is an extremely loyal citizen of the country and loves it; and this is because of the teachings of

33 10 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE our Prophet sa who instructed us that the love of one s country is an integral part of one s faith.* The teaching of Islam has been further elaborated and emphasised by the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Community, whom we believe to be the Promised Messiah as and the Reformer of this Age. He said that by announcing his claim God Almighty has placed two burdens upon him. One is the right of God and the other is right of God s creation. He went on to say that discharging the rights owed to God s creation was the most difficult and delicate challenge.** With reference to Khilafat, you may fear that a time might come when history repeats itself and wars may start as a result of this form of leadership. Let me assure you, however, that although this accusation is laid against Islam, God Willing, the Ahmadiyya Khilafat will always be known as the standard-bearer of peace and harmony in the world, as well as be loyal to the country in which members reside. The Ahmadiyya Khilafat is also here to perpetuate and continue the mission of the Messiah and Mahdi, and so there is absolutely no reason to fear the Khilafat. This Khilafat draws the attention of members of the Community towards fulfilling these two obligations for which the Promised Messiah as came, and as a result, tries to create peace and harmony in the world. Now, because of the time constraint, I come to the subject matter. If we survey the last few centuries impartially, we will * Tafsir-e-Haqqi, Surah al-qasas, no. 86, and Fathul-Bari fi Sharh Sahih al-bukhari, Babo Qaulillahi Ta ala Wa tul-boyuta and Tohfatul- Ahwadhi Sharho Jami it-tirmadhi, Babo Ma Yaqul ** Malfuzat, vol.1, p.326

34 ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE GLOBAL CRISIS 11 notice that the wars over that period were not really religious wars. They were more geopolitical in nature. Even in today s conflicts and hostilities amongst nations, we notice that they arise from political, territorial and economic interests. It is my fear that in view of the direction in which things are moving today, the political and economic dynamics of the countries of the world may lead to a world war. It is not only the poorer countries of the world, but also the richer nations that are being affected by this. Therefore, it is the duty of the superpowers to sit down and find a solution to save humanity from the brink of disaster. Britain is also one of those countries that can and does exert influence in the developed world as well as in developing countries. You can guide the world, if you so desire, by fulfilling the requirement of equity and justice. If we look at the recent past, Britain ruled over many countries and left behind a high standard of justice and religious freedom, especially in the sub-continent of India and Pakistan. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has witnessed this, and the Founder as of the Ahmadiyya Community has greatly praised the British Government on its policies of justice and granting of religious freedom. When the Founder as of the Ahmadiyya Community congratulated Her Majesty Queen Victoria on her Diamond Jubilee, and conveyed to her the message of Islam, he specially prayed that, in view of the manner in which the British Government discharges the requirements of justice with equity, may God Almighty reward it generously. So, our history shows that we have always acknowledged this justice whenever displayed by Britain, and we hope that in future

35 12 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE too, justice will remain a defining characteristic of the British Government, not only in religious matters, but in all respects, and that you never forget your good qualities of the past. Today, there is great agitation and restlessness in the world. We are seeing small-scale wars erupting, while in some places, the superpowers are claiming to try and bring about peace. If the requirements of justice are not fulfilled, the conflagration and flames of these local wars can escalate and embroil the whole world. Therefore, it is my humble request to you to save the world from destruction! Now, I will briefly mention what the teachings of Islam are to bring about peace in the world, or how peace can be established in the world in the light of these teachings. It is my prayer that to create peace in the world those who are being addressed initially, that is to say the Muslims, may be able to act upon them, but it is a duty of all the countries of the world, all the superpowers or governments, to act upon. In this day and age when the world has literally shrunk to a global village in a way that could not have been imagined previously, we must realise our responsibilities as human beings and should try to pay attention to solving those issues of human rights that can help to establish peace in the world. Clearly, this attempt must be based on fair play and on fulfilling all the requirements of justice. Amongst the problems of today, one problem has arisen, if not directly, then indirectly, because of religion. Some groups of Muslims use unlawful means and suicide bombers, bombing in the name of religion to kill and harm non-muslims including soldiers and innocent civilians, and at the same time to brutally kill

36 ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE GLOBAL CRISIS 13 innocent Muslims and children. This cruel act is totally unacceptable in Islam. Due to this ghastly behaviour of some Muslims, a totally wrong impression has developed in non-muslim countries, and as a result, some parts of the society talk openly against Islam, whilst the others, even though do not speak openly, do not carry a good opinion about Islam in their hearts. This has created distrust in the hearts of the people of Western and non-muslim countries about Muslims, and because of this attitude of a few Muslims, instead of the situation improving, the reaction of non-muslims is getting worse by the day. A primary example of this erroneous reaction is the attack on the character of the Holy Prophet sa of Islam and on the Holy Quran, the Sacred Book of the Muslims. In this regard, the attitude of British politicians, whatever their party, and of intellectuals in Britain, has been different to that shown by the politicians of some other countries, and I thank you for that. What can the benefit be of hurting such sensitivities apart from increasing hatred and dislike? This hatred spurs certain extremist Muslims into committing un-islamic deeds, which in turn, provides further opportunity to a number of non-muslims to air their opposition. However, those who are not extremists and who deeply love the Holy Prophet sa of Islam, are terribly hurt by these attacks and, in this, the Ahmadiyya Jama at (Community) is at the forefront. Our single most important task is to show the world the perfect character of the Holy Prophet sa and the beautiful teachings of Islam. We, who respect and revere all the Prophets (peace be upon them all) and believe all of them to be the Messengers sent by God, cannot say anything disrespectful against any of them;

37 14 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE but we are very saddened when we hear baseless, untrue allegations against our Prophet sa. Nowadays, when the world again is getting divided into blocs; extremism is escalating; and the financial and economic situation is worsening, there is an urgent need to end all kinds of hatred and to lay the foundations of peace. This can only be done by respecting all kinds of sentiments of each other. If this is not done properly, honestly and with virtue, it will escalate into uncontrollable circumstances. I appreciate that economically sound Western countries have generously permitted the people of poor or underdeveloped nations to settle in their respective countries, among whom are Muslims as well. True justice requires that the sentiments and the religious practices of these people should also be honoured. This is the way by which the peace of mind of people can be kept in tact. We should remember that when the peace of mind of a person is disturbed then the peace of mind of the society is also affected. As I said earlier, I am grateful to the British legislators and politicians for fulfilling the requirements of justice and for not interfering in this way. This, in fact, is the teaching of Islam that is given to us by the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran declares that: There should be no compulsion in religion (ch. 2: v. 257) This commandment not only counters the accusation that Islam was spread by the sword, but also tells Muslims that acceptance of faith is a matter between man and his God, and you should not interfere in this in any way. Everyone is permitted to live according

38 ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE GLOBAL CRISIS 15 to his faith and to perform his religious rituals. However, if there are any practices performed in the name of religion that harm others and go against the law of the land, then the law enforcers of that State can come into action, because if there is any cruel ritual being practised in any religion, it cannot be the teaching of any Prophet of God. This is the fundamental principle for establishing peace at the local level as well as the international level. Moreover, Islam teaches us that if as a result of your change of faith, any society, or group or a government tries to interfere in the observance of your religious practice, and thereafter the circumstances change in your favour, then always remember that you must carry no malice or ill-will. You should not think of taking revenge but should rather establish justice and equity. The Holy Quran says: O ye who believe! Be steadfast in the cause of Allah, bearing witness in equity; and let not a people s enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice. Be always just, that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah. Surely Allah is aware of what you do. (ch. 5: v. 9) This is the teaching for peace in society. Never depart from justice even for your enemy. The early history of Islam shows us that this teaching was followed and all the demands of justice were fulfilled. I cannot give too many examples of this but history bears testimony to the fact that after the Victory of Makkah, the Holy Prophet sa did not take any revenge from those who had tormented him but forgave them and allowed them to adhere to

39 16 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE their respective faiths. Today, peace can be established only if all requirements of justice are met for the enemy, not only in wars against religious extremists, but also in all other wars. And only such peace is long-lasting. In the last century, two world wars were fought. Whatever the causes were, if we look deeply, only one cause stands out; and it is that justice was not properly administered in the first instance. As a reaction, what was considered to be an extinguished fire turned out to be cinders that kept on burning slowly, eventually bursting into flames and enveloping the whole world a second time. Today, restlessness is increasing and wars and actions to maintain peace are becoming the forerunners for another world war. Moreover, the present economic and social problems will be the source of aggravating the situation. The Holy Quran has given some golden principles for establishing peace in the world. It is an established fact that greed causes enmity to grow. Sometimes it manifests itself in territorial expansion or the seizing of the natural resources or, indeed, in impressing the superiority of some upon others. This leads to cruelty, whether it is at the hands of merciless despots who usurp the rights of people and prove their supremacy in pursuit of their vested interests, or it is at the hands of an invading force. Sometimes, the cries and anguish of the cruelly treated people call out to the outside world. But be that as it may, we have been taught the following golden principle by the Holy Prophet of Islam sa, which is: help both the afflicted and the cruel. The Companions of the Prophet sa enquired that whereas they could understand helping the afflicted, how could they help a

40 ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE GLOBAL CRISIS 17 cruel person? The Prophet sa responded by saying, By stopping his hand from committing cruelty because his excess in cruelty will make him worthy of God s punishment. * So, out of mercy, you try to save him. This principle extends beyond the smallest fibres of society to the international level. In this connection, the Holy Quran says: And if two parties of believers fight against each other, make peace between them; then if after that one of them transgresses against the other, fight the party that transgresses until it returns to the command of Allah. Then if it returns, make peace between them with equity, and act justly. Verily, Allah loves the just. (ch. 49: v. 10) Though this teaching is about Muslims, yet by adhering to this principle, the foundation of peace on a worldwide basis can be laid. In order to maintain peace, it has been explained at the outset that the foremost requirement is justice. And, despite abiding by the principle of justice, if efforts to make peace are unsuccessful, then unite and fight collectively against the party that has transgressed and continue until such a time that the transgressing party is ready to make peace. Once the transgressing party is ready to make peace, the requirement of justice is: do not seek revenge, do not impose restrictions or embargoes. By all means, keep an * Sahih al-bukhari, Kitabul-Ikrah, Babo Yaminir-Rajuli Li Sahibihi Hadith no. 6952

41 18 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE eye on the transgressor but at the same time try and improve his situation. In order to end the unrest prevalent in some countries of the world today and unfortunately, some Muslim countries are prominent amongst them it should be analysed in particular by those nations that have the power to veto, to determine whether or not justice has been properly dispensed. Whenever help is needed, the hands are stretched towards the powerful nations. As I stated before, we bear testimony to the fact that the history of the British government has always upheld justice and this has encouraged me to draw your attention to some of these matters. Another principle that we have been taught for restoring peace in the world is not to covetously eye the wealth of others. The Holy Quran says: And strain not thy eyes after what We have bestowed on some classes of them to enjoy for a short time the splendour of the present world that We may try them thereby (ch. 20: v. 132) Greed for any envy of the wealth of others is a cause of increasing restlessness in the world. On a personal basis, keeping up with the Joneses, as the saying goes, has resulted in unending greed and destroyed social peace. Greedy competition on a national basis started and led to the destruction of world peace. This is proven by history and every sensible person can assess that the desire for the wealth of others causes envy and greed to grow and is the source of loss.

42 ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE GLOBAL CRISIS 19 This is why God Almighty says that one should keep an eye on one s own resources and derive benefit from them. The effort to make territorial gains is for seeking the benefit of that territory s natural resources. The grouping of nations and the making of power blocs are to procure the natural resources of some countries. In this regard, a number of authors who had previously worked as advisors to the governments have written books detailing how some of the countries endeavour to get control of the resources of other nations. How far the writers are truthful is best known to them, and God knows best, but the situation that emerges from reading these accounts causes serious anguish in the hearts of those who are loyal to their poor countries, and is a major reason for the growth in terrorism and the race for weapons of mass destruction. Nowadays, the world considers itself more sober, conscious and educated than in the past. Even in the poor countries there are such intelligent souls who have greatly excelled in education in their respective fields. Highly intellectual minds work together in large research centres of the world. Under such circumstances, one should have imagined that people would have joined together and jointly tried to end the wrong ways of thinking and the follies of the past that had resulted in animosities and had led to horrific wars. The God-given intellect and scientific progress should have been used for the betterment of humanity and for devising permissible methods of deriving benefits from one another s resources. God has bestowed each and every country with natural resources that should have been fully utilised to turn the world into a haven of peace. God has gifted many countries with an excellent

43 20 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE climate and environment for growing different crops. Had proper planning been adopted to use modern technology for agriculture, the economy would have strengthened and hunger could have been eliminated from the earth. Those countries that have been endowed with mineral resources should be allowed to develop and trade at fair prices and openly, and one country should benefit from the resources of the other country. So, this would be the right way, the way that is preferred by God Almighty. God Almighty sends His messengers to the people so that they can show them the ways that bring people closer to God. At the same time, God says that there is complete freedom in matters of faith. According to our beliefs, reward and punishment will be after death as well. But under the system that God has set up, when the cruelty is inflicted on His creation and justice and fair play are ignored, then by the laws of nature, the after-effects can be seen in this world as well. Severe reactions to such injustice are observed and there can be no guarantee about the reaction being right or wrong. The true way to conquer the world is that every effort should be made to give the poorer nations their due status. A major issue today is the economic crisis of what has been termed as the credit crunch. Strange as it may sound, the evidence points towards one fact. The Holy Quran guides us by saying: avoid interest because interest is such a curse that it is a danger for domestic, national and international peace. We have been warned that he who accepts interest will one day be as one whom Satan has smitten with insanity. So, we Muslims have been

44 ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE GLOBAL CRISIS 21 warned that in order to avoid such a situation, stop dealing in interest because money that you get for interest does not enhance your wealth, although on the face of it, it may seem to you that it is increasing. Inevitably, a time comes when its true effects emerge. Furthermore, we have been cautioned that we are not allowed to enter into the business of interest, with the warning that if you do so, it will be a war against God. This factor is obvious from today s credit crunch. In the beginning there were individuals who borrowed money to buy property; but before they could see ownership of the property they used to die burdened with the debt. But now there are governments that are burdened with debt and smitten as if with insanity. Large companies have become bankrupt. Some banks and financial institution have folded or been bailed out and this situation prevails in every country, regardless of its being rich or poor. You know better than I do about this crisis. The money of the depositors has been wiped off. Now it depends upon governments as to how and to what extent to protect them. But for the time being, the peace of mind of the families, business-men and leaders of the governments in most countries of the world has all but been destroyed. Does this situation not compel us to think that the world is heading to the logical conclusion whose warning was given to us well in advance? God knows better what the further consequences of this situation will be. God Almighty has said: Come towards peace that can only be guaranteed when there is pure and wholesome trade and when resources are put into usage in a proper and fair manner. Now I end these brief points of our teachings with a reminder

45 22 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE that the true peace of the world lies only in turning towards God. May God enable the world to understand this point; only then will they be able to discharge the rights of others. Finally, I am grateful to all of you again for coming here and listening to me. Thank you very much.

46 Islam s Teachings of Loyalty and Love for One s Nation Military Headquarters Koblenz, Germany, 2012

47 Brigadier General Alois Bach of the German Federal Army with Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V aba Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V aba addressing the German Federal Army

48 I.G. Janke, meeting Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V aba

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50 Islam s Teachings of Loyalty and Love for One s Nation Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahe wa barakatohu peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all. I would like to first of all take this opportunity to thank all of you for inviting me to your headquarters and giving me the opportunity to say a few words. As the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I would like to speak to you about the teachings of Islam. However, this is such a vast topic, that to cover it in just one function or in a short time is impossible. Thus, it is necessary that I limit myself to one aspect of Islam to focus on and speak to you about. Whilst contemplating which facet of Islam I should address, I received a request from the National President of our Community here in Germany, Abdullah Wagishauser, in which he asked me

51 28 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE to speak about Islam s teachings in relation to love and loyalty to one s nation. This helped me make my decision. Thus, I shall now speak to you briefly about certain aspects of Islam s teachings in this regard. It is very easy to simply speak of, or hear the words, loyalty and love for one s nation. However, in reality these few words encompass meanings that are wide-ranging, beautiful and of tremendous depth. Indeed, to fully comprehend and understand what these words truly mean and what they require is actually very difficult. In any case, in the short time available, I will try to explain Islam s concept of loyalty and love for one s nation. First and foremost, a fundamental principle of Islam is that a person s words and deeds should never manifest any form of double standards or hypocrisy. True loyalty requires a relationship built on sincerity and integrity. It requires what a person displays on the surface to be the same as what lies beneath. In terms of nationality, these principles are of the utmost importance. Therefore, it is essential for a citizen of any country to establish a relationship of genuine loyalty and faithfulness to his nation. It does not matter whether he is a born citizen, or whether he gains citizenship later in life, either through immigration or by any other means. Loyalty is a great quality, and the people who have displayed this attribute to the highest degree and best standards, are the Prophets of God. Their love and bond with God was so strong that in all matters they kept in view His commands and strived to fully implement them, no matter what. This illustrated their commitment to Him and their perfect standards of loyalty. Hence, it is their standards of loyalty that we should use as an example and

52 ISLAM S TEACHINGS OF LOYALTY AND LOVE FOR ONE S NATION 29 model. However, before proceeding any further, it is necessary to understand what is actually meant by loyalty. According to the teachings of Islam, the definition and true meaning of loyalty is the unequivocal fulfilment of one s pledges and covenants at every level and under all circumstances, regardless of difficulty. This is the true standard of faithfulness required by Islam. At various places in the Holy Quran, Allah has instructed Muslims that they must fulfil their pledges and covenants, because they will be held to account by Him over all undertakings that they have made. The Muslims have been instructed to fulfil all covenants, including those made with God Almighty, and also all other pledges they have made, according to their respective degrees of importance. In this context, a question that could arise in the minds of people is that because Muslims claim that God and His religion are of paramount importance to them, thus it follows that their pledge of loyalty to God will be their first priority, and that their covenant to God will be what they value above all else and which they endeavour to fulfil. Therefore, the belief may arise that a Muslim s loyalty to his nation and his pledge to uphold the laws of the land will only be of secondary importance to him. Thus, he may be willing to sacrifice his pledge to his country on certain occasions. To answer this question, I would firstly like to inform you that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself taught that the love for one s nation is a part of faith. Thus, sincere patriotism is a requirement in Islam. To truly love God and Islam requires a person to love his nation. It is quite clear, therefore, that there can be no conflict of interest between a person s love for

53 30 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE God, and love for his country. As love for one s country has been made a part of Islam, it is quite clear that a Muslim must strive to reach the highest standards of loyalty to his chosen country, because that is a means of reaching God and becoming close to Him. Hence, it is impossible that the love a true Muslim holds for God could ever prove to be an impediment or barrier preventing him from displaying true love and faithfulness towards his country. Unfortunately, we find that in certain countries, religious rights are curtailed or even completely denied. Therefore, another question that can arise is whether those people who are persecuted by their state can still maintain a relationship of love and loyalty to their nation and country. With great sadness, I should inform you that these circumstances exist in Pakistan, where the Government has actually legislated against our Community. These anti-ahmadiyya laws are practically enforced. Thus in Pakistan, all Ahmadi Muslims have been officially declared by law to be non-muslims. They are, therefore, forbidden from calling themselves Muslim. The Ahmadis in Pakistan are also prohibited from worshipping in the way Muslims do, or acting in accordance with any Islamic practice or custom that could identify them as a Muslim. Thus, the state itself in Pakistan has deprived members of our Community from their basic human right to worship. Bearing in mind this state of affairs, it is quite natural to wonder how, in such circumstances, can Ahmadi Muslims follow the laws of the land? How can they continue to display loyalty to the nation? Here I should clarify that where such extreme circumstances exist, then the law, and loyalty to the nation, become two separate issues. We, Ahmadi Muslims, believe that religion is a personal matter for every individual to determine for himself

54 ISLAM S TEACHINGS OF LOYALTY AND LOVE FOR ONE S NATION 31 and that there should be no compulsion in matters of faith. Thus, where the law comes to interfere with this right, undoubtedly, it is an act of great cruelty and persecution. Indeed, such state-sanctioned persecution, which has occurred throughout the ages, has been condemned by the vast majority. If we glance at the history of Europe, we find that people in this Continent have also been the victims of religious persecution, and as a result, many thousands of people had to migrate from one country to the next. All fair-minded historians, governments and people have deemed this to be persecution, and extremely cruel. In such circumstances, Islam advocates that where persecution goes beyond all limits and becomes unbearable, then at that time, a person should leave the town or country and migrate to a place where he is free to practise his religion in peace. However, alongside this guidance, Islam also teaches that under no circumstances should any individual take the law into his own hands and nor should he partake in any schemes or conspiracies against his country. This is an absolutely clear and unequivocal command given by Islam. Despite the grave persecution they face, millions of Ahmadis continue to live in Pakistan. Despite being subjected to such sustained discrimination and cruelty in all aspects of their lives, they continue to keep a relationship of total loyalty and a true allegiance to the country. Whichever field they work in or wherever they are based, they are constantly engaged in trying to help the nation to progress and succeed. For decades, the opponents of Ahmadiyyat have tried to allege that Ahmadis are not loyal to Pakistan, but they have never been able to prove this or show any evidence to support their claims; instead, the truth is that whenever there has

55 32 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE been a need to make any sacrifice for the sake of Pakistan, for the sake of their country, Ahmadi Muslims have always stood at the forefront and been constantly ready to make every sacrifice for the sake of the country. Despite themselves being a victim and target of the law, it is Ahmadi Muslims who follow and abide by the laws of the land better than anyone else. This is because they are true Muslims, who follow true Islam. Another teaching given by the Holy Quran in relation to loyalty is that people should keep away from all things that are immodest, undesirable and that form any type of rebellion. A beautiful and distinguishing feature of Islam is that it does not just draw our attention to the final point of culmination, where the consequences are extremely dangerous; instead, it warns us about all of the smaller issues as well, which act as stepping stones leading mankind to a path paved with danger. Thus, if Islam s guidance is followed properly, then any issue can be resolved at the earliest point, before the situation gets out of hand. For instance, an issue which can gravely harm a country is financial greed by individuals. Often, people get consumed by material desires that spiral beyond control, and such desires ultimately lead people to act in a disloyal fashion. Thus, such things can ultimately be a cause of treachery against one s country. Let me explain a bit. In Arabic the word bagha has been used to describe those people or those acts of people that cause harm to their countries. It refers to those who take part in wrong practices or who inflict harm on others. It also includes those people who commit fraud and so try to acquire things in an illegal or unjust manner. It refers to those people who transgress all limits and so

56 ISLAM S TEACHINGS OF LOYALTY AND LOVE FOR ONE S NATION 33 cause harm and damage. Islam teaches that people who act in these ways cannot be expected to act in a loyal manner, because loyalty is intertwined with high moral values. Loyalty cannot exist without high moral values and high moral values cannot exist without loyalty. Whilst it is true that different people may have different views about high moral standards, yet the religion of Islam revolves solely around seeking God s pleasure. Thus, Muslims are instructed to always act in a manner that is pleasing to Him. In short, according to Islamic teachings, God Almighty has forbidden all forms off treachery or rebellion, whether against one s country or one s government. This is because rebellion or acting against the state is a threat to the peace and security of a nation. Indeed, where internal rebellion or opposition occurs, then it fans the flames of external opposition and encourages outsiders to take advantage of the internal disorder. Hence, the consequences of disloyalty to your nation can be far-reaching and extreme. Thus, anything that can cause harm to a nation is included in the term bagha that I have described. Keeping all of this in mind, loyalty to one s nation requires a person to display patience, to show morality and to follow the laws of the land. Generally speaking, in the modern era, most governments are run democratically. Therefore if a person or group wishes to change the government, then they should do so by following the proper democratic process. They should make themselves heard by voting at the ballot box. Votes should not be cast on the basis of personal preferences or personal interests, but in fact, Islam teaches that a person s vote should be exercised with a sense of loyalty and love for his country. A person s vote should be cast with the betterment of the nation in mind. Therefore, a person

57 34 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE should not look at his own priorities and from which candidate or party he can personally benefit; instead, a person should make his decision in a balanced way whereby he assesses which candidate or party will help the entire nation progress. The keys to government are a huge trust and thus they should only be handed over to the party who the voter honestly believes is best suited and most deserving. This is the true Islam, and this is true loyalty. Indeed, in Chapter 4, verse 59 of the Holy Quran, Allah has commanded that a person should only hand over trusts to those who are entitled, and that when judging between people, he should make his decision with justice and honesty. Thus, loyalty to one s nation requires that the power of the government should be given to those who are truly entitled to it, so that the nation can progress and come to stand at the forefront amongst the nations of the world. In many parts of the world we find that members of the public take part in strikes and protests against government policies. Furthermore, in certain Third World countries, the protesters vandalise or damage possessions and properties belonging either to the state or to private citizens. Though they may claim to be acting out of love, the truth is that such acts have nothing to do with loyalty or love for the nation. It should be remembered that even where protests or strikes are conducted peacefully, without recourse to criminal damage or violence, it still can have a very negative effect. This is because even peaceful protests often result in a loss of millions to the economy of the nation. Under no circumstances can such behaviour be considered to be an example of loyalty to the nation. A golden principle taught by the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama at was that under all circumstances,

58 ISLAM S TEACHINGS OF LOYALTY AND LOVE FOR ONE S NATION 35 we must always remain obedient to Allah, to the Prophets and to the rulers of our nation. This is the same teaching given in the Holy Quran. Hence, even where a country permits strikes or protests to take place, they should only be conducted to the extent where they do not harm or cause damage to the nation or to the economy. Another question that often arises is whether Muslims can join the military forces of the Western countries, and if they are permitted to join, can they then partake in military attacks on Muslim countries? One underlying principle of Islam is that no person should assist in acts of cruelty. This key command must always remain at the forefront of any Muslim s mind. Where a Muslim country is attacked, because it has itself acted in a cruel and unjust manner and took the first step of aggression, then in such circumstances the Quran has instructed Muslim governments that they should stop the hand of the oppressor. This means they should stop the cruelty and endeavour to establish peace. Thus, in such circumstances to take action as a means to end cruelty is permissible. However, when the nation which transgresses reforms itself and adopts peace, then that country and its people should not be taken advantage of or be subjugated on the basis of false pretences or excuses. They should instead be granted normal state freedom and independence once again. The military ambition should thus be to establish peace, rather than to fulfil any vested interests. In the same way, Islam permits all countries, whether Muslim or non-muslim, the right to stop cruelty and oppression. Thus, if necessary, non-muslim countries can attack Muslim countries to achieve these genuine aims. Muslims in those non-muslim

59 36 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE countries are allowed to join the armies of those non-muslim countries and prevent the other country from cruelty. Where such circumstances truly exist then Muslim soldiers, whichever Western army they may be part of, must follow orders and fight if required in order to establish peace. If, however, a military makes a decision to attack another nation unjustly, and thus becomes the oppressor, then a Muslim has the option to leave the army, because then he would be assisting cruelty. By taking this decision it would not mean that he is being disloyal to his country. In fact, in such circumstances, loyalty to his country would demand that he should take such a step and counsel his own government that they should not allow themselves to fall to the same depths as those unjust governments and nations that act in a cruel way. If however, joining the army is compulsory and there is no way to leave, but his conscience is not clear, then the Muslim should leave the country, but cannot raise a voice against the law of the land. He should leave because a Muslim is not permitted to live in a country as a citizen, whilst at the same time, acting against the nation or siding with the opposition. Thus these are just a few aspects of Islamic teachings, which guide all true Muslims towards the real requirements of loyalty and love for one s country. In the time available I have only been able to briefly touch upon this topic. Thus in conclusion, I would like to say that today we observe that the world has become a global village. Mankind has become very closely knit together. The people of all nations, religions and cultures are found in all countries. This requires that the leaders of every nation should consider and respect the feelings and sentiments of all people. The leaders and their governments should

60 ISLAM S TEACHINGS OF LOYALTY AND LOVE FOR ONE S NATION 37 strive to create laws that foster an environment and spirit of truth and justice, rather than making laws that are a means of causing distress and frustration to the people. Injustices and cruelties should be eliminated and instead we should strive for true justice. The best way to do this is that the world should come to recognise its Creator. Every form of loyalty should be linked to loyalty with God. If this occurs then we will come to witness with our own eyes that the very highest standards of loyalty will be established by the people of all countries and new avenues leading us to peace and security will open throughout the world. Before ending, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you once again for inviting me today and for listening to what I have said. May God bless you all; and may God bless Germany. Thank you very much.

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62 The Devastating Consequences of a Nuclear War and the Critical Need for Absolute Justice 9th Annual Peace Symposium London, United Kingdom, 2012

63 Mayor of London Boris Johnson presenting His Holiness with a London bus souvenir Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V aba addressing the 9th Annual Peace Symposium

64 Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V aba talking to the overseas Pakistani press regarding world affairs

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66 Preface On March 24, 2012, the 9th Annual Peace Symposium was held at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden the largest Mosque in Western Europe organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama at (Community) in the UK. The event attracted an audience of more than 1000 people, including government ministers, ambassadors of state, members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the Mayor of London, various other dignitaries, professionals, neighbours and guests from all walks of life. The theme of this year s Symposium was International Peace. The 3rd Annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace was presented by Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad aba to the charity, SOS Children s Villages UK, in recognition of its continued efforts to alleviating the suffering of orphaned and abandoned children around the world and towards fulfilling its vision of a loving home for every child.

67 44 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE Guests in attendance included: Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State for Transport Jane Ellison MP (Battersea) Seema Malhotra MP (Feltham and Heston) Tom Brake MP (Carlshalton and Wallington) Virendra Sharma MP (Ealing and Southall) Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon HE Wesley Momo Johnson the Ambassador of Liberia HE Abdullah Al-Radhi the Ambassador of Yemen HE Miguel Solano-Lopez the Ambassador of Paraguay Commodore Martin Atherton Naval Regional Commander Councillor Jane Cooper the Worshipful Mayor of Wandsworth Councillor Milton McKenzie MBE the Worshipful Mayor of Barking and Dagenham Councillor Amrit Mann the Worshipful Mayor of Hounslow Siobhan Benita independent Mayoral candidate for London Diplomats from several other countries including India, Canada, Indonesia and Guinea

68 The Devastating Consequences of a Nuclear War and the Critical Need for Absolute Justice After reciting tashahhud, ta awwudh and bismillah, Hadrat Khalifatul-Masih V aba said: All our guests assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahe wa barakatohu peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all. Today, after a period of one year, I once again have the opportunity to welcome all of our distinguished guests to this event. I am extremely grateful to all of you, as you have spared your time to come and attend today. Indeed, most of you are well acquainted with this event which has come to be known as the Peace Symposium. This event is organised each year by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and is just one of our many efforts to try and fulfil our desire for peace to be established in the world.

69 46 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE In attendance today are some new friends, who are attending this function for the first time, whilst others are old friends who have supported our efforts for many years. Regardless, all of you are well-educated and share our desire for peace to be established in the world, and it is due to this desire that you are all attending this event. All of you are here today with the heartfelt wish that the world comes to be filled with love, affection and friendship. It is this very attitude and these very values that the vast majority of the world longs for and which it stands in need of. In view of all of this, these are the reasons why all of you, who come from different backgrounds, nations and religions, are sitting in front of me today. As I have said, we hold this conference each year and on each occasion, the same sentiment and hope is expressed by all of us, which is that peace in the world comes to be established before our very eyes; and so each year I also request all of you to endeavour to promote peace wherever you have the opportunity and with whoever you have contact. Furthermore, I also request all those who are linked to political parties or governments that they should also convey this message of peace within their circles of influence. It is essential that everyone is made aware that, for the establishment of world peace, there is a far greater need for high and principled moral values than ever before. As far as the Ahmadiyya Community is concerned, wherever and whenever the opportunity arises, we openly express and declare our view that there is only one way to save the world from the destruction and devastation that it is heading towards, and that is that we must all endeavour to spread love, affection and a sense of community. Most importantly, the world must come

70 THE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES OF A NUCLEAR WAR to recognize its Creator, Who is the One God. This is because it is the recognition of the Creator that leads us towards love and compassion for His Creation, and when this becomes part of our character, it is then that we become recipients of God s Love. We constantly raise our voice calling for peace in the world, and it is the pain and anguish we feel in our hearts that inspires us to try and alleviate the suffering of mankind and to make the world we live in a better place. Indeed, this very function is just one of our many efforts towards achieving this goal. As I have already said, all of you also hold these noble desires. Furthermore, I have repeatedly called on politicians and religious leaders to strive for peace. Yet, in spite of all of these efforts, we find that anxiety and turmoil continue to spread and increase throughout the world. In today s world we find so much strife, restlessness and disorder. In some countries members of the public are fighting and waging wars amongst themselves. In some nations the public is fighting against the government, or conversely the rulers are attacking their own people. Terrorist groups are fuelling anarchy and disorder to fulfil their vested interests and so they are arbitrarily killing innocent women, children and the elderly. In some countries, as a means to fulfil their own interests, political parties are warring with each other rather than coming together for the betterment of their nations. We also find some governments and countries are continuously casting their glances enviously in the direction of the resources of other nations. The major powers of the world are consumed by their efforts to maintain their supremacy, and leave no stone unturned in their efforts towards pursuing this goal. Bearing all of this in mind, we find that neither the Ahmadiyya

71 48 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE Community nor the majority of you, who are members of the public, have the power or authority to develop policies to bring positive change. This is because we do not hold any governmental power or office. In fact, I would go as far as to say that even the politicians, with whom we have developed friendly relations and who always agree with us when they are in our company, are also unable to speak out. Instead, their voices too are being drowned out and they are prevented from forwarding their views. This is either because they are forced to follow party policies, or perhaps due to external pressures from other world powers or political allies, which are weighing them down. Nevertheless, we, who take part in this Peace Symposium each year, undoubtedly hold a desire for peace to be established and certainly we express our opinions and feelings that love, compassion and brotherhood should be established amongst all religions, all nationalities, all races and indeed, amongst all people. Unfortunately though, we are powerless to actually bring this vision to light. We do not have the authority or means to achieve the results that we long for. I recall that a couple of years ago, in this very hall during our Peace Symposium, I delivered a speech detailing the ways and means for world peace to be established, and I also spoke about how the United Nations ought to function. Afterwards, our very dear and respected friend, Lord Eric Avebury, commented that the speech ought to have been delivered at the United Nations itself. Nevertheless, this was a display of his noble character that he was so generous and kind in his remarks. However, what I wish to say is that merely delivering or listening to a speech or lecture is not enough and will not lead to peace being established. In fact, the

72 THE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES OF A NUCLEAR WAR key requirement to fulfilling this primary goal is absolute justice and fairness in all matters. The Holy Quran, in Chapter 4, verse 136, has given us a golden principle and lesson, guiding us about this. It states that as a means to fulfil the requirements of justice, even if you have to bear witness and testify against yourself, your parents or your closest relatives and friends, then you must do so. This is true justice where personal interests are set aside for the common good. If we think about this principle at a collective level, then we will realise that unfair lobbying techniques based on wealth and influence should be abandoned. Instead, the representatives and ambassadors of each nation should come forward with sincerity and with a desire to support the principles of fairness and equality. We must eliminate all forms of bias and discrimination, as this is the only means to bring about peace. If we look at the United Nations General Assembly or Security Council, we find that often statements or speeches made there receive great praise and acknowledgement, but such tributes are meaningless because the real decisions have already been predetermined. Thus, where decisions are made on the basis of the pressure or the lobbying of the major powers, as opposed to just and truly democratic means, then such speeches are rendered hollow, meaningless and serve only as pretence to deceive the outside world. Nevertheless, all of this does not mean that we should simply become frustrated, and give up and abandon all our efforts. Instead, it should be our objective, whilst remaining within the laws of the land, to continue to remind the government of the needs of the time. We must also properly advise those groups who have vested interests, so that at a global level, justice can prevail.

73 50 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE Only then will we see the world become the haven of peace and harmony that we all want and desire. Therefore, we cannot and must not give up our efforts. If we stop raising our voices against cruelty and injustice, then we will become amongst those who have no moral values or standards whatsoever. Whether or not our voices are likely to be heard or have influence is irrelevant. We must continue to counsel others towards peace. I am always extremely pleased when I see that, irrespective of differences of religion or nationality, for the sake of upholding human values, so many people come to this function to listen, to learn and to speak about ways to establish peace and compassion in the world. Thus, I would request all of you to strive for peace to the best of your abilities so that we can keep the flicker of hope alight, that a time will come when true peace and justice will be established in all parts of the world. We must remember that when human efforts fail, then God Almighty issues His Decree to determine the fate of mankind. Before God s Decree sets into motion and compels people towards Him and towards fulfilling the rights of mankind, it would be far better if the people of the world should themselves come to pay attention to these crucial matters, because when God Almighty is forced to take action, then His Wrath seizes mankind in a truly severe and terrifying manner. In today s world, one terrifying manifestation of God s Decree could be in the shape of another world war. There is no doubt that the effects of such a war and its destruction will not be limited to the war itself or even to this generation. In fact, its horrific consequences will be exhibited for many generations to come. Just one tragic consequence of such a war will be the effect it will have

74 THE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES OF A NUCLEAR WAR on new born children, both now and in the future. The weapons available today are so destructive that they could lead to generation after generation of children being born with severe genetic or physical defects. Japan is the one country to have experienced the abhorrent consequences of atomic warfare, when it was attacked by nuclear bombs during the Second World War. Even today when you visit Japan and meet its people, you see an absolute fear and hatred of war visible in their eyes and from what they say. Yet the nuclear bombs that were used at that time and which caused widespread devastation, were much less powerful than the atomic weapons that are possessed by even very small nations today. It is said that in Japan, even though seven decades have passed, yet the effects of the atom bombs are still continuing to be manifest on newborn children. If a person is shot by a bullet, then it is sometimes possible for him to survive through medical treatment, but if a nuclear war breaks out, then those who are in the firing line will have no such luck. Instead, we will find that people will instantly die and freeze like statues, and their skin will simply melt away. Drinking water, food and vegetation will all be contaminated and affected by radiation. We can only imagine what type of diseases such contamination will lead to. In those places that are not directly hit and where the effects of the radiation are somewhat less, even there the risk of diseases and illness will become much higher and the future generations will also bear much greater risks. Therefore, as I have said, the devastating and destructive effects of such warfare will not be limited to the war and its aftermath, but will pass from generation to generation. These are the

75 52 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE real consequences of such warfare, and yet today there are selfish and foolish people who are extremely proud of their invention and describe what they have developed as a gift to the world. The truth is that the so-called beneficial aspects of nuclear energy and technology can be extremely dangerous and lead to widespread destruction, due to either negligence or due to accidents. We have already witnessed such catastrophes, such as the nuclear accident that occurred in 1986 in Chernobyl, in what is now Ukraine, and just last year after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, it too had to contend with great danger and the country was placed in fear. When such events happen, then it is also very difficult to repopulate the affected regions. Due to their unique and tragic experiences, the Japanese have become extremely cautious and indeed, their sense of fear and terror is fully justified. It is an obvious statement that people die in wars, and so when Japan entered the Second World War, its Government and its people were well-aware that some people would be killed. It is said that approximately three million people died in Japan, and this came to about 4% of the country s population. Even though a number of other countries may have suffered higher proportions of deaths in terms of total numbers, yet the hatred and aversion to war that we find in the Japanese people remains much higher in comparison to others. The simple reason for this is certainly the two nuclear bombs that were dropped on Japan during World War II, and the consequences of which they are still witnessing and having to bear even today. Japan has proved its greatness and resilience by being able to repopulate and rehabilitate its towns relatively quickly. But let it be clear that if nuclear weapons are used again today, then it is quite possible that parts of certain

76 THE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES OF A NUCLEAR WAR countries could be completely wiped off the map. They could cease to exist. Conservative estimates put the death toll of the Second World War at about 62 million and it is said that around 40 million of those who were killed were civilians. Thus, in other words, more civilians died than military personnel. Such devastation occurred despite the fact that apart from in Japan, a traditional war was fought with conventional weapons everywhere else. The United Kingdom had to bear the loss of around half a million people. Of course, at that time, it was still a colonial power and so its colonies also fought on its behalf. If we include their losses then the death toll rises to millions. In India alone, around 1.6 million people lost their lives. However, today the situation has changed, and those very countries that were colonies of the United Kingdom, and who fought for the British Empire, could today fight against Great Britain if war breaks out. Moreover, as I mentioned earlier, even some small countries have acquired nuclear weapons. What causes great fear is the knowledge that such nuclear weapons could end up in the hands of such people who either do not have the ability or who choose not to think about the consequences of their actions. In truth, such people do not even care about the consequences, and are trigger-happy. Thus, if the major powers do not act with justice, do not eliminate the frustrations of smaller nations and do not adopt great and wise policies, then the situation will spiral out of control and the destruction that will follow is beyond our comprehension and imagination. Even the majority of the world who do desire peace will also become engulfed by this devastation.

77 54 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE Thus, it is my ardent wish and hope that the leaders of all major nations come to understand this dreadful reality, and so instead of adopting aggressive policies and utilising force to achieve their aims and objectives, they strive to adopt policies that promote and secure justice. Recently, a very senior Russian military commander issued a serious warning about the potential risk of a nuclear war. It was his view that such a war would not be fought in Asia or elsewhere, but would be fought on Europe s borders, and that the threat might originate and ignite from Eastern European countries. Though some people will say that this was simply his personal opinion, I myself do not believe his views to be improbable, but in addition, I also believe that if such a war breaks out, then it is highly likely that Asian countries will also become involved. Another news item that was recently given widespread media coverage was the views of a recently retired chief of Israel s intelligence agency, Mossad. During an interview with the wellknown American television channel, CBS, he said that it was becoming apparent that the Israeli Government wished to wage war on Iran. He said that if such an attack took place it would be impossible to know where or how such a war would come to end. Thus, he strongly advised against any attack. In this respect, it is my opinion that such a war will end with nuclear destruction. I recently also came across an article in which the author stated that the situation of the world today is similar to the situation in 1932, both in economic terms and also politically. He wrote that in certain countries the people held no confidence in their politicians or their so-called democracies. He also said that there were

78 THE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES OF A NUCLEAR WAR many other similarities and parallels which were combining together to form the same image today that was witnessed just prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. Some may disagree with his analysis, but on the contrary, I agree with it and that is why I believe the world s governments ought to be extremely worried and concerned at the current state of affairs. Similarly, the unjust leaders of some Muslim countries, whose only objective is to hold onto their power at any means and at any cost, should come to their senses. Otherwise, their acts and their foolishness will be the means of their demise, and they will lead their respective countries towards a most terrifying predicament. We, who are members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, try our utmost to save the world and humanity from destruction. This is because in this era, we have accepted the Imam of the Age, who was sent by Allah as the Promised Messiah, and came as a servant to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who himself was sent as a Mercy for all of Mankind. It is because we follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) that we feel extreme pain and anguish in our hearts at the state of the world. It is that pain which drives us in our efforts to try and save humanity from destruction and suffering. Therefore, I and all other Ahmadi Muslims are striving to fulfil our responsibilities towards achieving peace in the world. One way in which I have tried to promote peace is through a series of letters that I have written to certain world leaders. A few months ago, I sent a letter to Pope Benedict, which was delivered to him in person by an Ahmadi representative of mine. In the

79 56 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE letter I said to him that as he was the leader of the world s biggest religious denomination, he ought to endeavour to establish peace. In similar vein, more recently and upon observing that hostilities between Iran and Israel were boiling over to a very dangerous level, I sent a letter to both Israel s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Iran s President, Mahmud Ahmedinejad, in which I urged them to forsake all forms of haste and recklessness when making decisions, for the sake of mankind. I have also recently written to President Barack Obama and Canada s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, calling on both of them to fulfil their roles and responsibilities towards the development of peace and harmony in the world. I am also planning to write and warn other Heads of State and leaders in the near future. I do not know if my letters will be given any value or weight by the various leaders I have written to, but whatever their reaction, an attempt has been made by me, as the Khalifah and spiritual leader of millions of Ahmadi Muslims worldwide, to convey their feelings and emotions about the perilous state of the world. Let it be clear that I have not expressed these sentiments because of any personal fear, but instead, I am motivated out of a sincere love for humanity. This love for humanity has been developed and instilled in all true Muslims by the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who, as I have already mentioned, was sent as a means of mercy and compassion for all of mankind. Most likely you will be very surprised or even shocked to hear that our love for mankind is a direct result of the teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). The question may arise

80 THE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES OF A NUCLEAR WAR in your minds, that why then are there Muslim terrorist groups that are killing innocent people, or why are there Muslim governments, who in order to protect their seats of power, are ordering the mass killings of members of their public? Let it be absolutely clear that in reality, such evil acts are completely contrary to the real teachings of Islam. The Holy Quran does not give permission, under any circumstances, for extremism or terrorism. In this age, according to our beliefs, God Almighty sent the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama at, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (peace be upon him) as the Promised Messiah and the Imam Mahdi, in complete submission to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) was sent to propagate the real and true teachings of Islam and the Holy Quran. He was sent to establish a bond between man and God Almighty. He was sent to identify and recognize the rights owed by man to one another. He was sent to end all forms of religious warfare. He was sent to establish the respect, dignity and honour of every Founder and every Prophet of any religion. He was sent to draw attention towards attaining the highest standards of moral values and to establish peace, love, compassion and brotherhood throughout the world. If you go to any part of the world, you will find these very qualities embedded in all true Ahmadi Muslims. For us neither terrorists nor extremists are examples, nor are the cruel Muslim dictators examples to us, nor are Western powers examples to us. The example that we follow is that of the Founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and our guiding instructions are the Holy Quran.

81 58 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE Thus, from this Peace Symposium, I send a message to the entire world, that the message and teachings of Islam are of love, compassion, kindness and peace. Sadly, we find that a small minority of Muslims present a completely distorted image of Islam and act upon their misguided beliefs. I say to all of you, that you should not believe this to be the real Islam and thus use such misguided acts as a licence to hurt the sentiments of the peaceful majority of Muslims or make them a target of cruelty. The Holy Quran is the holiest and most sacred Book for all Muslims and so to use abusive and foul language or to burn it will certainly grievously injure the feelings of Muslims. We have seen that when this happens it often leads to a completely wrong and inappropriate reaction by extremist Muslims. Just very recently we heard of two incidents in Afghanistan, where some American soldiers disrespected the Holy Quran, and killed innocent women and children in their homes. Similarly, a merciless person shot dead some French soldiers in the South of France without any reason, and then some days later he entered a school and killed three innocent Jewish children and one of their teachers. We find that this behaviour is completely wrong and can never lead to peace. We also see such cruelties regularly come to pass in Pakistan and elsewhere and so all of these acts are giving the opponents of Islam fuel to vent their hatred and a pretext upon which to pursue their goals on a large scale. Such barbaric acts carried out on a smaller scale are not conducted due to personal enmities or grudges, but are in fact the result of the unjust policies

82 THE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES OF A NUCLEAR WAR adopted by certain governments, both at a domestic and at an international level. Thus, for peace in the world to be established it is essential that proper standards of justice are developed at every level, and in every country of the world. The Holy Quran has deemed the killing of one innocent person without reason akin to killing all of mankind. So once again, as a Muslim, I shall make it absolutely clear that Islam does not permit cruelty or oppression in any way, shape or form. This is an injunction that is absolute and without exception. The Quran further states that even if any country or people hold enmity towards you, that must not stop you from acting in a fully just and fair manner when dealing with them. It should not be that any enmities or rivalries lead you to taking revenge or acting disproportionately. Another vital injunction given to us by the Holy Quran is that the wealth and resources of others should not be looked upon with envy or greed. I have mentioned just a few points, but these are such that are crucially important because they lay the foundation for peace and justice in society and the wider world. I pray that the world pays attention to these key issues, so that we can be saved from the destruction of the world that we are being led towards by the unjust and untruthful people. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize that I have taken up quite some time, but the truth is that the subject of establishing peace in the world is of truly vast importance. Time is running out, and before it is too late we must all pay great heed and attention to the needs of the time. Before I bring my speech to an end, I would like to talk about

83 60 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE one important thing. As we are all aware, these days the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, is being celebrated. If we rewind the clock 115 years to 1897, the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria was also being celebrated. At that time, the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community sent a congratulatory message to Queen Victoria. In his message, he conveyed both the teachings of Islam and he also sent a message of prayers for the British Government and for the long life of the Queen. In his message, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) wrote that the best quality of the Queen s Government was that under its rule, all people were granted religious freedom. In today s world the British Government no longer rules over the Sub-Continent, but still the principles of freedom of religion are deeply entrenched in British society and its laws, through which every person is granted religious freedom. Indeed, a very beautiful example of this freedom is being witnessed here tonight where the followers of various different faiths, religions and beliefs have joined together in one place with a common aspiration of seeking peace in the world. Therefore, using the same words and prayers that the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) used, I take this opportunity to offer heartfelt congratulations to Queen Elizabeth. As he said: May our congratulations filled with happiness and gratitude to our compassionate Queen be conveyed. And may the honourable Queen always be kept happy and content. The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) further offered

84 THE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES OF A NUCLEAR WAR prayers for Queen Victoria, and so again I use his words to pray for Queen Elizabeth: O Powerful and Noble God. Through your Grace and Blessings keep our honoured Queen forever happy in the same way that we are living happily under her benevolence and kindness; and be kind and loving to her in the same way that we are living in peace and prosperity under her generous and righteous rule. Thus, these are sentiments of gratitude that are held by every Ahmadi Muslim who is a British citizen. At the end I would like to once again express my gratitude to all of you from the depths of my heart, who by coming here have demonstrated their love, affection and brotherhood. Thank you very much.

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86 The Path to Peace Just Relations Between Nations Capitol Hill Washington, D.C., USA, 2012

87 meeting Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V aba Brad Sherman (Democratic member Representatives) presenting aba Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V aba delivers his keynote address at Capitol Hill Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V aba leading silent prayer at Capitol Hill

88 Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V aba during Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V aba in Capitol Hill after and Bureaucrats

89

90 Preface On June 27, 2012, a historic event took place at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Hadrat Khalifatul-Masih V aba, Fifth Successor to the Promised Messiah as and Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, addressed leading congressmen, senators, ambassadors, White House and State Department Staff, NGO leaders, religious leaders, professors, policy advisors, bureaucrats, members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of think-tanks and the Pentagon and journalists from the media. The meeting, the first of its kind, gave the opportunity to some of the most influential leaders in the United States, including Honourable Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Leader in the House of Representatives, to hear first-hand Islam s message on world peace. Following the event, His Holiness was given a tour of the Capitol Hill building, before being escorted to the House of Representatives where a Resolution was introduced in honour of his visit to the United States.

91 68 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE The introductory paragraph of the Resolution stated: Welcoming His Holiness, Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the worldwide spiritual and administrative head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, to Washington, DC, and recognizing his commitment to world peace, justice, nonviolence, human rights, religious freedom and democracy... The full list of attendees at the Capitol Hill event reads as follows: U.S. Senator Robert Casey, Sr. (Democrat Pennsylvania) U.S. Senator John Cornyn (Republican Texas) Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Democrat California) U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison (Democrat Minnesota) U.S. Congressman Bradley Sherman (Democrat California) U.S. Congressman Frank Wolf (Republican Virginia) U.S. Congressman Michael Honda (Democrat California) U.S. Congressman Timothy Murphy (Republican Pennsylvania) U.S. Congresswoman Jeannette Schmidt (Republican Ohio) U.S. Congresswoman Janice Hahn (Democrat California) U.S. Congresswoman Janice Schakowsky (Democrat Illinois) U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier (Democrat California) U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (Democrat California)

92 PREFACE 69 U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat Texas) U.S. Congressman Gary Peters (Democrat Michigan) U.S. Congressman Thomas Petri (Republican Wisconsin) U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff (Democrat California) U.S. Congressman Michael Capuano (Democrat Massachusetts) U.S. Congressman Howard Berman (Democrat California) U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu (Democrat California) U.S. Congressman André Carson (Democrat Indiana) U.S. Congresswoman Laura Richardson (Democrat California U.S. Congressman Lloyd Poe (Republican Texas) U.S. Congressman Barney Frank (Democrat Massachusetts) U.S. Congressman. Bruce Braley (Democrat Iowa) U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich (Democrat Ohio) U.S. Congressman Trent Franks (Republican Arizona) U.S. Congressman Chris Murphy (Democrat Connecticut) U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson (Democrat Georgia) U.S. Congressman James Clyburn (Democrat South Carolina) His Excellency Bockari Kortu Stevens, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States

93 70 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, Chairwoman, United States Commission on Inteternational Religious Freedom Hon. Tim Kaine, Former Governor of Virginia Amb. Susan Burk, Special Representative of President Barack Obama for Nuclear Nonproliferation Amb. Suzan Johnson Cook, U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Hon. Khaled Aljalahma, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States Rev. Monsignor Jean-Francois Lantheaume, First Counselor (Deputy Chief of Mission), The Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See to the United States Ms. Sara Al-Ojaili, Public Affairs/Liaison Officer, Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman to the United States Mr. Salim Al Kindie, First Secretary, Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman to the United States Ms. Fozia Fayyaz, Embassy of Pakistan to the United States Hon. Saida Zaid, Counselor, Embassy of Morocco to the United States Hon. Nabeel Munir, Minister-IV (Security Council), Pakistan Permanent Mission to the United Nations Hon. Josef Renggli, Minister-Counselor, Embassy of Switzerland to the United States Hon. Alyssa Ayres, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, U.S. Department of State Amb. Karl Inderfurth, Senior Adviser and Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies, Center for Strategic

94 PREFACE 71 and International Studies Hon. Donald A. Camp, Senior Associate, Center for Strategic and International Studies Amb. Jackie Wolcott, Executive Director, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Dr. Azizah al-hibri, Commissioner, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Mr. Isaiah Leggett, County Executive, Montgomery Count, Maryland Ms. Victoria Alvarado, Director, Office of International Religious Freedom, U.S. Department of State Dr. Imad Dean Ahmad, Director, Minaret of Freedom Institute Dr. Zainab Alwani, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies, Howard University School of Divinity Ms. Deborah L. Benedict, Associate Counsel, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security Ms. Lora Berg, Senior Adviser to Special Representative to Muslim Communities, U.S. Department of State Dr. Charles Butterworth, Professor (Emeritus) of Government and Politics, University of Maryland, College Park Father John Crossin, Executive Director for Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Major (Ret.) Franz Gayl, Senior Science Adviser, U.S. Marine Corps.

95 72 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE Dr. Sue Gurawadena-Vaughn, Director of International Religious Freedom and South East Asia Programs, Freedom House Mr. Frank Jannuzi, Head of Washington Office, Amnesty International USA Mr. T. Kumar, International Advocacy Director, Amnesty International USA George Leventhal, Member of the Montgomery County Council Mr. Amer Latif, Visiting Fellow, Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies, Center for Strategic and International Studies Mr. Tim Lenderking, Director of Pakistan Desk Office, U.S. State Department Mr. Jalal Malik, International Affairs Officer, U.S. Army National Guard Mr. Naveed Malik, Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State Ms. Dalia Mogahed, Senior Analyst and Executive Director, Gallup Center for Muslim Studies Mr. Paul Monteiro, Associate Director, White House Office of Public Engagement Major General David Quantock, United States Army Provost General Ms. Tina Ramirez, Director of International and Government Relations, The Becket Fund Rabbi David Saperstein, Director and Counsel, Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism

96 PREFACE 73 Chaplain, Brigadier General Alphonse Stephenson, Director of the National Guard Bureau Office of the Chaplain Mr. Knox Thames, Director of Policy and Research, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Mr. Eric Treene, Special Counsel for Religious Discrimination, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice Dr. Hassan Abbas, Professor, Regional and Analytical Studies Department, National Defense University Mr. Malik Siraj Akbar, Reagan-Fascell Fellow, National Endowment of Democracy Mr. Matthew K. Asada, Congressional Fellow to Rep. Gary Peters Ms. Stacy Burdett, Director of Government and National Affairs, Anti-Defamation League Ms. Elizabeth Cassidy, Deputy Director for Policy and Research, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Ms. Aimee Chiu, Director of Media, Communication, and Public Relations, American Islamic Congress Mr. Cornelius Cremin, Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Acting Deputy Director and Foreign Affairs Officer for Pakistan Mr. Sadanand Dhume, Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute Dr. Richard Gathro, Dean of Nyack College, Washington D.C.

97 74 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE Mr. Joe Grieboski, Chairman, The Institute on Religion and Public Policy Ms. Sarah Grieboski, The Institute on Religion and Public Policy Dr. Max Gross, Adjunct Professor, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University Dr. Riaz Haider, Clinical Professor of Medicine, George Washington University Ms. Huma Haque, Assistant Director, South Asia Center, Atlantic Council Mr. Jay Kansara, Associate Director, Hindu American Foundation Mr. Hamid Khan, Senior Program Officer, Rule of Law Center, U.S. Institute for Peace Ms. Valerie Kirkpatrick, Associate for Refugees and U.S. Advocacy, Human Rights Watch Mr. Alex Kronemer, Unity Productions Mr. Paul Liben, Executive Writer, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Ms. Amy Lillis, Foreign Affairs Officer, U.S. Department of State Mr. Graham Mason, Legislative Assistant to Rep. Allyson Schwartz Ms. Lauren Markoe, Religion News Service Mr. Dan Merica, CNN.com Mr. Joseph V. Montville, Senior Associate, Merrimack

98 PREFACE 75 College Center for the Study of Jewish-Christian-Muslim Relations Mr. Aaron Myers, Program Officer, Freedom House Ms. Attia Nasar, Regional Coordinating Officer, U.S. Department of State Ms. Melanie Nezer, Senior Director, US Policy and Advocacy, HIAS Dr. Elliott Parris, Bowie State University Mr. John Pinna, Director of Government and International Relations, American Islamic Congress Mr. Arif Rafiq, Adjunct Scholar, Middle East Institute Ms. Maya Rajaratnam, Amnesty International Ms. Rachel Sauer, Foreign Affairs Officer, U.S. Department of State Dr. Jerome Schiele, Dean of College of Professional Studies, Bowie State University Ms. Samantha Schnitzer, Staff, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Dr. Mary Hope Schwoebel, Senior Program Officer, Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding, U.S. Institute for Peace Ms. Sarah Schlesinger, International and Government Relations Associate, The Becket Fund Dr. Frank Sellin, Kyrgystan Desk Officer, U.S. Department of State Ms. Anna-Lee Stangl, Christian Solidarity Worldwide

99 76 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE Ms. Kalinda Stephenson, Professional Staff, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Mr. Jordan Tama, Lead Democratic Staffer, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Mr. Shaun Tandon, AFP Dr. Wilhelmus Valkenberg, Professor of Religion and Culture, The Catholic University of America Mr. Anthony Vance, Director of External Affairs, Baha is of the United States Mr. Jihad Saleh Williams, Government Affairs Representative, Islamic Relief USA Ms. Amelia Wang, Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Judy Chu Ms. Moh Sharma, Legislative Fellow to Congresswoman Judy Chu

100 U.S. Congress House Resolution 709

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102 PREFACE 79

103 80 WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE